Between 22 – 24 March 2013, Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand paid  official visit to New Zealand was accompanied by a delegation of 39 Thai business representatives from 5 major sectors, namely energy / green economy, food and agricultural products, tourism, education and real estate. The business representatives participated in Thai – New Zealand business events to further promote business ties between the two countries.
            The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also brought the representatives from Thai cooperatives of dairy cattle farms, dairy products and fruits producers and exporters with a view to increase their exposure to New Zealand’s expertise on innovation and high technology of producing diary and agricultural products.
            On 22 March, the business delegation attended a business networking reception and luncheon organised by the Royal Thai Embassy in Wellington in partnership with the Thailand Board of Investment. The Prime Minister delivered a keynote speech, highlighting the strength of the Thai Economy, as well as investment opportunities in Thailand.
             Later in the afternoon, the Ministry arranged for delegates from the energy sector to join the Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office on site study of biomass and solar energy at the Brightwater Company. Meanwhile, education sector delegates had a chance to attend a briefing on the topic “Development and Advancement of Educational System in New Zealand” at the Auckland University of Technology (AUT).
             In the morning of 23 March, the business delegates joined the Prime for site study of Arataki Visitor Center and Soljans Winery’s eco-tourism work. Meanwhile, fruit cooperatives’ representatives and business delegates from the food and agriculture sectors visited the Punchbowl Kiwi Farm for study of advancements in technology and innovation related to kiwi fruit farming.
In the evening, the Thai delegation attended the conferment ceremony and congratulatory reception on the occasion of Prime Minister Yingluck’s receiving an honorary doctoral degree at the AUT.
             On 24 March, dairy cattle farm business delegates and cooperatives’ representatives joined the Prime Minister’s delegation to Fonterra Milk Farm in Hamilton on a site study of food safety management. At the same time, other business delegates had a chance to explore Auckland’s business and financial district before joining the Prime Minister to Papua New Guinea later that day.